Articles
Quick Links
Arthritis – Gout
By Michael Russel
Gout is a common type of arthritis that results from uric acid crystal
deposits in the joints. The body’s reaction to these deposits causes
inflammation, swelling and pain. The condition usually affects just a
single joint a time and most commonly the joint of the big toe. It does
however affect other joints such as the ankle, foot, knee, hand, wrist
and elbow with sudden painful attacks.
Uric acid is a byproduct produced from the breaking down of proteins
and cells in the body. Also a small amount enters our bodies from the
foods we eat. When elimination of uric acid from the blood is not
effective, excess may form needle-like sharp crystals that find their
way into joint spaces and surrounding tissue.
Gout is a complex disorder. Usually the first attack occurs between the
ages of 45 and 55 and although it affects mostly men it can attack
anyone at any age. Women become more susceptible after menopause. The
condition can also be inherited. However, gout is a treatable condition
and there are steps that can be taken to prevent it from recurring.
Symptoms of gout are acute, sudden and include: Intense pain of a
joint. Gout most commonly affects the big toe. Pain can last up to 10
days and then subsides leaving the joint normal. Inflammation, heat and
redness – The joint becomes red, painful and swollen. Crystal deposits
can cause also a condition known as false gout but in this case the
composition of crystals is calcium phosphate dehydrate and not uric
acid. False gout does affect the big toe but it is more likely to
attack joints such as ankles, knees and wrists.
The trigger for initiating gout is substances found naturally in the
body but also certain foods such as organ meats, anchovies, mushrooms,
asparagus and excess alcohol. Other factors include: not enough fluid
intake, crash dieting, fluid tablets, anti-rejection drugs, medical
conditions such as high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis, genetics,
age and sex. An initial attack it is not usually followed by a
subsequent attack for months or even years. If the condition is left
without correct management it can become more frequent and last for
longer periods of time.
See your health care provider if you experience intense, sudden pain in
a joint to obtain a diagnosis. Your doctor may test for levels of uric
acid in the blood and urine and take a fluid sample from the affected
joint to confirm a diagnosis. Proper diagnosis and management usually
result in gout being well controlled.
The outlook for people with gout is mostly positive. A small number of
people with gout can develop kidney stones and a condition called
tophi. This is a chronic form of arthritis with discolored deposits
under their skin.
Treatment for gout attacks is mostly based on nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs and in severe cases corticosteroid drugs. Once
the condition under control your physician may recommend a preventative
treatment with drugs to slow down the rate by which uric acid is
produced and speed elimination. You can also make life style changes to
help with symptoms such as intake of plenty of fluids, limited amounts
of alcohol, avoid excessive animal protein and keep a healthy weight.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Arthritis
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Michael Russell – EzineArticles Expert Author
Foods to Avoid With Gout
By Sky Joe
People always have the mentality that as long as one does not eat junk
food, one can be considered to have a healthy diet. Actually a diet
that is considered healthy to one might be unhealthy to another person,
it can be quite subjective in this context. Gout patients are usually
advice to go on a special diet, which will help to alleviate the pain
cause by gout attacks. This diet will require one to avoid food that
will increase the uric acid in the body. The list of food to avoid will
also include certain food, which are considered healthy by most
standards and definitions.
Gout, which is a common form of arthritis especially among man of age
40 to 50, is caused by the deposits of excess uric acid in the
bloodstream on the joint connections area. By avoiding food that will
cause the body to generate more uric acid than necessary in the body is
very critical. Food items containing high purine level is found to
increase the production of uric acid in the human body. It is essential
for people with gout to avoid such food completely. The list of high
purine food is actually quite long thus it is very important for gout
patients to be wary of the food they consume daily. Some of the common
beverages, which gout patients should avoid, include coffee, tea, cocoa
and even chocolate. Some of these beverages are already part and parcel
of ones daily life that it is seriously a bit different to imagine
having to abstain drinking them. If you think it is really no big deal
to indulge in it once in awhile, you will really have to think twice.
Is the pain from a possible gout attack really going to be worth it
from your indulgence?
The second list of food gout patients should avoid includes gizzard,
kidney, seafood, heart, gravy and red meats. Alcohol should also be
place in the list of food to be avoided. Any form of alcohol including
wine or beer can trigger attacks of gout. It is significant to memorize
the list of food to avoid as it can help to reduce the amount of gout
attacks controlling drugs one will have to take.
The third and somehow the list which most people consider as the most
healthy choice is simply a bit hard to comprehend why it should be
avoided by gout patients. Peas, spinach, lentils and beans are
vegetables that should be avoided if one is diagnosed with gout.
It is seriously important for people with gout to bear in mind the
types of food items that are harmful and beneficial to their gout
conditions. Since you now have a better knowledge of the food types
that should be consumed, it might be a good habit of what to buy and
what not to buy when you do your grocery shopping the next time.
Example of Shopping List
Food items to Avoid
- mushrooms
- offal foods (heart, kidneys, liver, tripet, tongue)
- game meats
- red meat
- fish roe
- mussels
- sardines
- anchovies
- herring
- mackerel
- scallops and shrimp
- sweetbreads
- peas
- spinach
- lentils
- beans
- asparagus
- alcohol
- gravy
- yeast
Food Items to Buy
- 1. rice
- 2. cherries
- 3. strawberries
- 4. raw fruits
- 5. cheese
- 6. white breads
- 7. seeds
- 8. nuts
- 9. cereals
- 10.vegetables
Even though choosing the correct food to consume is important for
people with gout, drinking plenty of water is also essential. Drinking
lots of water will help the body to remove the excessive uric acid in
the body through the urinal system. Exercising regularly will also help
gout patients to improve their overall gout conditions.
By restricting your diet and only sticking to food that are low in
purine levels will definitely help to reduce complications associated
with gout and the need for medication to help control the pain due to
an gout attack. To completely be free of the tortures of gout, one will
have to bear in mind all the above mention method and pointers.
For more information on gout treatment, food to avoid for gout patients
and natural remedies for gout, please visit Gout Treatment And Remedy.
Sky Joe is a well known author, website publisher and owner of the
website gout.mygeneralknowledge.com.
©Skyjoe. All rights reserved. This article may be freely distributed as
long as it remains unchanged.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sky_Joe
Technorati Tags: gout, gout arthritis, gout cure, gout disease, gout treatment, gouty arthritis, treatment for gout, joint aches, joint pain gout, causes of chronic joint pain, gout and joint pain, gout joint pain
